Financial Literacy Resources
Creating Hope for the Future Through Financial Literacy
The CrossState Credit Union Foundation provides guidance and funding to member credit unions and their partnering nonprofit organizations working to educate and improve the financial literacy skills of consumers of all ages.
In addition to these resources, the Foundation provides our members with grant funding for initiatives such as in-school materials and programs, community and workplace programs, development of student-run branches, savings days and Financial Reality Fairs.
Before applying, please review the Financial Literacy Grant Application. If you need assistance or have questions about your application, please contact the Foundations’ office at 800-932-0661 x 2244.
Financial Literacy Resources
Your Credit Union is a Resource
Visit your credit union website and see what resources they have for you. If you don’t see anything on the website, give them a call and ask for help. The following are resources that many credit unions offer:
- One on one financial counseling: Credit Unions have employees certified in financial counseling. They can help you with your credit scores, bills, and saving strategies.
- Education programs: many credit unions will make presentations at meetings and at schools about financial topics.
- Financial Reality Fairs: credit unions will also hold fairs in high schools and colleges for students to learn about budgeting.
Submit Classroom Activities to the Foundation
Do you have financial education classroom activities you can share with the CrossState Foundation? The CrossState Foundation’s Financial Education User Group is creating a bank of financial education classroom activities so we can share ideas and resources that work well for children, youth, and adults within our networks.
Learn more and submit your resources through the link below.
Resources for Children & Youth
JumpStart
JumpStart is an organization that promotes financial literacy and supports financial education across the U.S. and is a great resource for financial education news.
Junior Achievement USA
Junior Achievementis providing free online resources to teachers and parents during this period of the COVID virus. They are doing this so our kids can spend more time planning for and dreaming about tomorrow, and less time worrying about today. We are committed to doing this until we can all be certain again.
The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program
The Berenstain Bears Financial Literacy Program is a youth education and marketing suite developed exclusively for credit unions in response to the documented need to introduce financial education to young learners. Children are exposed to age-appropriate money management concepts through hands-on activities as they learn the many benefits of credit union membership. The program resonates with generations of adults who grew up with The Berenstain Bears and trust them.
Biz Kid$
Biz Kid$ is a financial literacy initiative that teaches kids about money and business. The initiative includes a TV series, free classroom curriculum, outreach activities, and a monthly on-line newsletter targeting children 9 – 16 years old. It is the first national public television series promoting financial education for elementary and middle school students. The National Credit Union Foundation is responsible for fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities for Biz Kid$.
Money as You Grow Book Club
To support parents and caregivers in this important task, CFPB offers the Money as You Grow book club. The Money as You Grow book club is a family financial education program that uses children’s books to help families learn key money concepts through reading, play, and quiet one-on-one talks. Many parents and caregivers are eager to build a good financial literacy foundation for their kids, but might not feel they have enough time, tools, and confidence. Fortunately, many of the building blocks for financial well-being – like patience, planning, and problem-solving – don’t require a lot of financial know-how.
Zogo
Zogo is a CrossState Partner helps credit unions educate, engage and attract young people through their gamified financial literacy app, teaching sound financial fundamentals and rewards users for learning. Their mission is to make personal finance fun, simple, and social.
BrightChamps
BrightChamps is a site focused on next-gen live learning programs for children, and have a section of their site dedicated to financial literacy for kids.
Resources for Employees & Members
CFPB’s “Your Money, Your Goals” Toolkit
The “Your Money, Your Goals” toolkit has information that helps you have money conversations with the people you serve. Use the tools to help achieve goals and work through challenges.
NCUA’s Financial Literacy & Education Resource Center
The NCUA’s Financial Literacy & Education Resource Center can help credit unions promote financial literacy and assist their members with making smarter financial decisions.
NerdWallet
Check out some of NerdWallet‘s resources, such as their budget calculator and debt calculator, make a roadmap for personal finance, check your financial health, and their many articles on personal finance.
Pigly
Pigly is a site with calculators to help you calculate loan payments, estimating investment returns, or just about any other important financial decision.
Other Resources
Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia website contains free information and lesson plans to teach economics and personal finance. All lessons are downloadable in PDF format.
FoolProof National
FoolProof National teaches life skills, not just work skills. It is training for young and/or entry-level workers with limited experience in safely navigating the free enterprise system.
MoneyGeek
MoneyGeek is a site with finance calculators to figure out your cost of living and monthly mortgage payments, and resources to help you buy a car, how to pick the right credit card, and more.